Saturday, November 29, 2014

The Perfect Ingredient



During the holiday events food seems to take center stage over conversations or decor.  Chefs/bakers pride themselves on the finished project.  Those enjoying the process of creating a dish desire one sound during the meal, “Mmmmmmm!”  Feeding others becomes the method of displaying love.  And during the holidays, love can be shown every time you turn the corner.  We work overtime in the kitchen for four months creating the best dish we know how for every event consuming our calendars.

I enjoy cooking more so than baking (there is a difference).  I love searching recipes, spinning off the printed ingredients to accommodate the likes/dislikes of my family and even creating my own recipe.  Preparing a dish comes with pressure for success.  Everyone possesses different taste buds; therefore, what one may love, the other may run to the garbage to spit it out.  The possibility of failure exists each time we sit around the table.  The cool part about cooking is the ability to taste test the product.  Once done or even while cooking you can grab a spoon full.  Then, you may add any lacking ingredient (i.e., salt, pepper, oregano, garlic, etc.).  No one be the wiser because once the dish hit the table the taste is satisfying. 

On the other hand, while baking you have one shot to get it right.  No chances to taste test the product.   Be it pies, cookies, bread, biscuits or another pastry; you cannot taste midway and see if more sugar, oil, flour or any ingredient need be added.  You simply, mix, bake and hope for the best.  In comes a greater risk for failure at the dinner table.  May be the reason I like cooking more so than baking. . .

I often wish I could taste test a decision in life before going full force into a situation or presenting it to loved ones.  Sitting down, looking at the whole picture and testing it out would provide opportunity to tweak the plan wherever deemed necessary.  Then before leaping into the life changing decision, shifting the path along the way or taking on that overwhelming project I could have everything aligned and in perfect order to be satisfying.  No fear of failure because I know the end product. 

Well, my friend, life is much more baking than cooking.  Situations arise, decisions need be made and days lived without taste testing.  We have no idea what tomorrow will bring or how a situation will pan out.  I have endless stories consumed with decisions which sent me to the garbage can to spit them out.  Failure appears in my past, present and I am sure will in the future.  Without full knowledge and wisdom no human can create the perfect plan for life.  Something will be missing every time. . .unless you grab hold of One perfect ingredient!

God holds the future.  He knows the end product because He provided the perfect amount of ingredients enabling us to perform any task He planned.  So, without Him, we will continue to fail.  He will guide our feet in the right direction.  Cool part about our God; should we fail to ask Him on a decision made and it crumble right in front of us, He provides enough grace to turn it out for good as we come to Him in repentance.  No matter the failure, He stands with open arms to recreate the situation and make it a fabulous end product. 

Wherever you may be today in life, be it gathering all information to make a decision, in the midst of a decision or at the end of a failed decision, He is there to take you and help you!  Reach to Him!  Lay it all at the cross and be amazed at His work! 

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.

Sheree Craig                 

No comments:

Post a Comment